Winter is upon us and the police would like to touch upon a few areas of confusion.
First off, we do not look after the road maintenance contractor. Please don't call us if the roads need plowing or you are unhappy with the road conditions. We know that our mere presence can often make things happen or not happen, but we can't change the roads.
Second, we aren't the road report. Do you know how many times a day we are asked, how are the roads? We are out in the community but realistically if we traveled all the roads to check them out, you would never see us. Some people might like that idea. Check with drivebc.ca. - the very people who travel them update the road conditions throughout the day. Yes, you guessed it, the contractor.
Third, if the roads are bad, we are likely busy or trying to stay off them. Please don't call and tell us about the car you saw in the ditch somewhere between Avola and Blue River but didn't stop to see if anybody was around. Because now the police, highway rescue and ambulance will drive the same road you were on for who knows how long to check it out. Meanwhile in the other direction somebody else calls about the same thing. Do you see a pattern here? Please take a few minutes to assess the situation and determine if any action is warranted before calling. Often the vehicle goes in the ditch; the driver is picked up and taken to the nearest town to call for a tow. No need for emergency personal attendance.
As a reminder, police and road crews will be placing yellow flagging tape on vehicles that are clear and waiting to be towed out. If you see the tape, there's no need to call police.
Police keeping busy
Clearwater RCMP responded to several crashes once the snow started coming down late Monday. First off was a truck and fifth wheel travel trailer near Vavenby. Next was a single vehicle crash about 18 km south of Clearwater (there were reports of the vehicle going in the river - not true, but close). In that case the driver was served a violation ticket for inadequate tires. Remember, winter tires could make the difference between sitting in the ditch and getting safely home.
On Tuesday a traffic services member spent the better part of the day dealing with crashes near Blue River. Fortunately there were no serious injuries. Remember, slow down and don't venture out, especially during a snowfall, unless you have to.